USCIS Issues Updated Forms and Fee Increases

Express News Global

United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently raised the fees and updated the forms for four visa applications, as of Jan 17, 2017. The recently updated forms are as follows:

Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Starting 02/21/2017, USCIS will only accept the updated 01/17/17 edition. Until then, you can use previous editions. All filings postmarked 12/23/16 or later must include the new fees or USCIS will reject them. Fee for I-485 is now $1,140. It has gone up by $155, from $985.

Fees are based on individual age brackets:

Age of Applicant

Form Fee

BiometricServices Fee

Total

Under 14 and filing with the I-485application of at least one parent

$750

$0

$750

Under 14 and not filing with the I-485application of at least one parent

$1,140

$0

$1,140

Age 14 – 78

$1,140

$85

$1,225

Age 79 or older

$1,140

$0

$1,140

Filing Form I-485 based on having beenadmitted to the United States as a refugee

$0

$0

$0

Filing as a refugee under section 209(a)of the INA

$0

$0

$0

Please note that if you are filing a Form I-485 Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i), starting 02/21/17, USCIS will only accept the 01/17/17 edition. Until then, you can use previous editions. All filings postmarked 12/23/16 or later must include the new fees or the application will be rejected.

If you are filing Form I-485 together with a Form I-140 that names you as the principal beneficiary, you do not need to file Supplement J. However, you must file Supplement J if you are filing Form I-485 based on a previously filed Form I-140 or if you are requesting job portability to a new, permanent job offer under INA section 204(j). Go to the Form I-485, Supplement J page for specific instructions on when and how to file Supplement J.

Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker

USCIS will accept the new I-129 edition dated 01/17/17. Previous editions dated 12/23/16, 08/13/15, 03/26/15 and 10/23/14 are also accepted. All filings postmarked 12/23/16 or later must include the new fees or the application will not be processed. Filing fee for I-129 is now $535. It has increased by $195 from $340.

Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

USCIS will only accept the 01/17/17 edition. Until then, you can use previous editions. All filings postmarked 12/23/16 or later must include the new fees for USCIS to process your application. Filing fee for I-140 is now $700. It increased by $120 from $580.

Starting 02/21/17, USCIS will only accept the 01/17/17 edition. Until then, you can use previous editions. All filings postmarked 12/23/16 or later must include the new fees for applications to be processed. Filing fee for I-765 is $410. It increased by $30 from $380.

Starting 03/20/17, USCIS will only accept the 01/18/17 edition. Until then, you can use previous editions dated 07/29/14, 5/04/12, 02/01/11 and 03/30/09. There is NO filing fee and biometrics services may be required at no cost to the applicant. USCIS offers this to provide temporary immigration benefits to aliens who are victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons, and to their immediate family members, as appropriate.

It is important to note the new fees and updated forms as stated above must be included in all submissions postmarked or filed after the respective dates noted for each form. Failure to include the new fees or the updated forms during application submission may result in the application being rejected by USCIS.